The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is seeking public comment regarding its request to the United States Education Department for a one year waiver of Section 421(b) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) (20 U.S.C section 1225(b)), also known as the "Tydings Amendment," to extend the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2009 ARRA School Improvement Grant (SIG ) funds authorized under section 1003(g) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, until September 30, 2014.

If approved, MSDE will grant two local school systems (see table below) permission to continue to use 2009 SIG funds for central office administration of the SIG 1003(g) grant and as well as the continued implementation of the Restart and Turnaround Models in each of the schools below. Continued use of these federal funds will enable the schools to continue interventions and school reform initiatives resulting in improved academic achievement of students in Maryland.